Gemotions

Maya bounced on the balls of her feet as she waited outside Professor Davies' office. She’d spent weeks on the final project, sacrificing sleep and social life to perfect her research. The anticipation made her stomach flip with excitement. Each draft was meticulously revised, every detail polished. The click of the door handle jolted her from her thoughts. She marched inside, head held high, ready for the praise she was certain awaited her. She couldn't stop smiling as she spoke.

The grade, a disappointing C, landed on the desk with a heavy thud, echoing the hollow feeling in her chest. Maya stared, the smile vanishing. Her breath hitched. That couldn't be right. She leaned back, struggling to comprehend the discrepancy.

“There must be some mistake,” she managed, her voice barely a whisper. The room began to swim. She'd put in so much time and effort. How could the result be so different from the effort?